Beside an inconspicuous side gate of the Shi residence, a young girl with ordinary hair in a bun sneakily slipped out carrying a small bundle.

Outside the door was a bustling street. The girl slipped into an alley and cautiously peered out.

The lacquered red gates of the Shi Mansion, located near the market, were tightly closed, and the tranquility inside was just like when the young girl woke up every afternoon.

The girl stared at the market for a while, and only breathed a sigh of relief when she was sure no one would follow her.

Her dark eyes circled the streets a few times. After a few breaths, she seemed to have found her way. She slung her small bag over her shoulder and followed the narrow alley, turning left and right, and soon arrived at Luoshui Alley.

Arriving here, the girl seemed to feel somewhat relieved.

She walked quickly to the end of the alley, stopped at the house with two white lanterns hanging at the door, and pounded on the door twice.

A somewhat weary and hoarse voice came from inside the door: "Coming."

The door creaked open, and Zhou Yuan, dressed in a dark blue robe, looked at the girl in front of him with a puzzled expression.

"And you are?"

The girl smiled broadly and excitedly took two steps forward, "Husband."

Zhou Yuan was stunned. He subconsciously took two steps back to avoid the girl's hands. At the same time, he also glanced warily at the door. He was currently in mourning. If someone saw a woman coming to his door and calling him by such an ambiguous name, his career would probably be over.

The girl was completely unaware that she had almost caused trouble. When she saw Zhou Yuan retreat into the courtyard, she followed him.

"My lord, it's me," the young woman said, her face flushed, her expression a mixture of shyness and excitement. "Don't you recognize me?"

Zhou Yuan didn't even dare to glance at her, and quickly retreated to a distance of about two zhang before saying, "Young lady, please speak with some respect. My wife has just passed away, so I dare not speak such nonsense."

The girl paused for a moment, then realized that she had been too excited and had forgotten that she had changed and Zhou Yuan no longer recognized her.

“Then take a good look at me and see if I look like your deceased wife,” Wang said, fiddling with her hair as she slowly stepped forward.

Zhou Yuan hurriedly stepped back, instinctively putting his hands in front of him to block the way. "Miss, let's talk. Don't come any closer."

Wang smiled, pursing her lips.

Her current appearance is extremely conspicuous in a crowd. Although Wang Shi thought she knew Zhou Yuan's temperament, she did not expect him to be so upright that he could resolutely push away a beautiful woman who was offered to him.

Wang was secretly pleased, feeling that her decision couldn't have been more correct. That young master Jiang was indeed handsome, and just one glance made her heart pound. But his fist was also very hard; with just one punch, he broke such a hard piece of wood.

Wang shrugged, feeling that Zhou Yuan was still the best person in front of her.

He was a refined and learned man with an official position. Most importantly, he was devoted to me and obedient. In the past, he made all the decisions at home and never said a word to me, let alone laid a finger on me.

It's a pity that life was too hard back then, and she passed away before she could enjoy her life. Now things are better. She is the daughter of a wealthy family, and with a dowry to support her, she believes she will definitely be able to live a very good life.

Wang twisted her slender waist and insisted on taking two steps forward.

With nowhere else to retreat, Zhou Yuan had no choice but to hide behind a large vat against the wall and said, "Miss, if you continue like this, I'll kick you out."

Hearing this, Wang's smile deepened, and she walked even more briskly.

As Zhou Yuan watched the light green skirt approach, a glimpse of moon white was faintly visible beneath it, and a crystal pearl shone with a subtle glow.

"What...what exactly do you want to do?" Zhou Yuan leaned against the wall, his face full of resistance. He looked like a gentleman, but he stood motionless, as if he had not noticed the gap on the other side that was big enough for him to pass through.

After testing her, Wang was very satisfied and said, "Husband, it's me. I'm not dead. I'm back."

Zhou Yuan looked on in disbelief. He had clearly seen Wang Shi die, and he had personally arranged for her body to be collected. The person in front of him was not old, and compared to Wang Shi, he looked like a bright sunset in the sky and mud in a pond. How could he believe that this person was the wife he had buried in the ancestral grave?

Knowing that this matter was indeed unbelievable, Wang whispered two private things that only the two of them knew when they were newlyweds.

Zhou Yuan's eyes widened in disbelief. If she hadn't brought it up, he probably would have forgotten all about it.

After Wang finished speaking, she said with tender eyes, "Husband, do you believe me now?"

Zhou Yuan blinked, then asked, seemingly unrelated, "So where have you been all this time?"

Upon hearing him ask about this, Wang's face immediately lit up with joy. She then poured out her story about her time at the Shi residence in detail, and then untied the bundle on her body, showing off, "Look, these are just things I usually wear for fun."

As she spoke, Wang picked up a pearl hairpin and pinned it in her hair, then eagerly approached Zhou Yuan to present it as a treasure.

Zhou Yuan didn't even glance at the valuables. He simply turned his face away, extremely displeased, and said, "As the ancients said, 'A gentleman loves wealth, but he acquires it in a proper way.' These are the Shi family's valuables. How could you take them out without permission?"

The smile on Wang's face faded slightly. "I was just thinking that life is tough, so taking it is perfect..."

She wanted to live with him.

Zhou Yuan said coldly, "What are you going to do with it?"

Wang chuckled awkwardly, then bent down to repackage the bundle. "Don't be angry. You know me, I don't think things through. I'll return all of this, okay?"

Zhou Yuan snorted, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Wang knew Zhou Yuan well and knew that this meant approval.

Looking around, Wang saw that smoke was already rising from the chimneys of the surrounding neighbors. Knowing that she had made a mistake, she said with the intention of making amends, "It's getting late, I'll go and make you something to eat."

As she spoke, she rolled up her sleeves and went to the corner to gather some firewood. But as soon as she reached out, a sharp splinter pierced her delicate fingertip, causing her to cry out in pain.

Zhou Yuan glanced at her coldly and muttered, "Stupid woman."

Wang didn't hear what he said clearly. She turned around and saw him looking at her with his eyes half-lowered. She thought he was worried about her, so she quickly smiled and said, "It's okay, it's okay. Go inside and read your book. I'll bring the food over when it's ready."

Zhou Yuan rolled his eyes and actually turned and left.

The door closed gently. Wang carefully pulled out the thorn from her hand, used her dress as a cushion, gathered firewood, and went into the kitchen.

Inside the main room, Zhou Yuan waited until the rhythmic sound of chopping vegetables came from the kitchen before gently opening the door.

A few steps away, on a simple bench pieced together from wooden planks, a light cherry-colored package lay half-hidden.

Zhou Yuan cautiously glanced into the kitchen, where the sound of boiling oil sizzling could be heard. Zhou Yuan pursed his lips and tried his best to walk silently to the bench.

With a gentle lift of her fingers, she revealed a colorful hairpin adorned with jewels and jade, its blossoms gleaming in the sunlight.